One Person Killed in a Deputy-Involved Crash

An East Tennessee woman has died as the result of a fatal crash in Anderson County. It happened just before six right off Interstate-75 at the Clinton exit in the westbound lanes of North Charles Seivers Blvd.

Volunteer TV's Whitney Daniel has the details.

An unfortunate incident, especially right before the Holidays. One East Tennessee woman died in the crash after she hit a sheriff's deputy's cruiser, and those watching the clean-up say their hearts go out to the family.

"We came through here not too long ago, so it surprised us to come back through and this happened so quick," Lake City resident Bryan Mozingo said.

On a holiday where traffic is at an all-time high, the first fatal accident.

"It could happen to any of us and it's the night before Thanksgiving," Mozingo said.

It happened here on North Charles Seivers Blvd. just before six Wednesday evening -- a peak travel time for those heading to their holiday destinations.

"You hear police talk about being safe, but until you see something like this, you don't really give it as much thought as you should," Mozingo said.

Anderson County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Mark Lucas says a woman driving a red car was leaving the McDonald's on the Westbound side of the road. She drove across the road and began to turn into the Eastbound lane. A tractor trailer was sitting in the turn lane, so she didn't see another car coming. She pulled out and hit a Sheriff's Department cruiser driven by Sgt. James Leinart. He's okay and has been treated and released from Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. The driver of the red car didn't make it.

"I think it makes you think a little harder. It makes you thankful for what you have," Mozingo said.

Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating using their Critical Incident Response Team to reconstruct the crash. They aren't releasing the victim's name pending family notification

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